Health Benefits of the Atkins Diet; Is It really That Healthy?What are the health benefits of the Atkins diet? Well, that's a very big question and the answer will very much depend upon who you ask. There are clearly two schools of thought; one from Atkins diet supporters and the other from many health associations and physicians. Both have opposing views on the health benefits of the Atkins diet. I'll start by giving you the official Atkins view. A low carbohydrate diet like the Atkins works by forcing your body to use body fat for fuel due to the lower carb intake that you're eating. Supporters claim that the health benefits of the Atkins diet stem from your body being cleansed as it's forced to use up stored body fat. Eating fewer carbohydrates in your diet is said to allow your body to balance its sugar levels, which controls your hunger pangs and keeps you satisfied for longer. Dr Atkins himself has suggested that you may experience significant improvements in both your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, though the latter is a bone of contention that I'll address shortly. He further suggests that you will also experience less fatigue, irritability, depression, headaches and joint or muscular pain, and you may also sleep better. Those that are critical of the Adkins diet have concerns over the dangers of consuming low levels of carbohydrates. The Atkins diet promotes a level as low as 20 grams per day in the early stages of the diet, whilst the recommended daily adult intake for a normal healthy diet is 300 grams. Perhaps the main argument against the diet is that it restricts the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains that provide the nutrients and fibre that are essential to keep your body healthy. Further, by encouraging the consumption of high protein foods like meat, eggs and cheese that contain high levels of saturated fat, these can cause an increase in your blood cholesterol levels if eaten to excess with the consequent risk to your health. On the balance of probabilities I think it is safe to assume that this is not an ideal diet for a healthy lifestyle. It would be very easy to go too far and badly affect your health. Many people who have experienced the diet have commonly suffered from fatigue, nausea, abdominal pain and bad breath. If you're determined to give it a go, you should ensure that you don't deprive your body of the essential vitamins and nutrients that may be lacking in the foods you're allowed to eat. Check out some of the other pages on our web site where you will find references to our recommended merchants who can supply balanced food supplements to help you stay healthy whilst on your diet. Next article >> |
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